Steve Randell made his debut as a first-class umpire in 1980-81 at the age of 24, and four years later he became the first Tasmanian to stand in a Test when he officiated in the Australia-West Indies Test at the MCG in 1984-85. In 1989-90 he stood in Hobart's first Test match, and in 1994 with the advent of appointing umpires from neutral countries, he took charge when South Africa played their comeback Test against England at Lord's.

Randell was still only 38 and had a long career ahead of him when he was convicted in the Tasmanian Supreme Court in August 1999 on 15 separate counts of assault against nine schoolgirls between 1981 and 1982. He was jailed for four years, ending not only his teaching career but also his umpiring one. At the time of his arrest he had stood in more Tests (33) than any other Australian.
Martin Williamson